Maria Aguilar-Mateo is a third-year student at the University of Iowa double majoring in human resource management and business analytics & information systems with a minor in Latina/o/x studies. She studied abroad in summer 2024 in Singapore to learn about international business, specifically in the ASEAN region through company presentations, tours, and a course led by a local faculty member. In addition to her studies, Aguilar-Mateo currently works as an HR associate for University of Iowa Human Resources and as a Tippie Engagement Coordinator for the BizEdge Program.

Ercan Canhasi is an associate professor of computer science at the University of Prizren, with extensive expertise in machine learning, software development, and natural language processing. He holds a PhD in computer science and has significantly contributed to academia, industry, and the entrepreneurial ecosystem in the Balkans. Dr. Canhasi is a cofounder of Gjirafa Inc., a pioneering regional tech company, where he served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Chief Science Officer (CSO), leading the initiatives in search technologies and data-driven solutions. In academia, Dr. Canhasi has taught and mentored students at all levels, fostering innovation and critical thinking. He is deeply committed to exploring the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, with a focus on creating real-world solutions to complex challenges. Dr. Canhasi is currently participating in the University of Iowa Obermann Center International Fellowship, focusing on enhancing digital transformation strategies and advancing AI research in wireless networking, particularly in healthcare environments.

Catherine Chong is currently the director of the Office of Industry Engagement at the Singapore Management University. She leads the engagement with industry, government and professional bodies to holistically support their interest to engage the university for its talent, expertise and technologies. She is responsible for developing the university’s industry engagement strategy and fostering meaningful partnerships that supports the university’s strategic ambitions in creating positive impact in the world. Chong comes with more than 18 years of experience in strategic business development, predominantly in the public sector, such as the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), driving key industry sector development and transformation. Chong holds a Bachelor of Science (biomedical science) with honors, from the National University of Singapore (NUS), with a minor in technopreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Monica Ernberger is an assistant director in the University of Iowa International Programs Office. She specializes in international internships, as well as study abroad advising for the UI Tippie College of Business, UI College of Public Health, UI Department of Global Health, and several certificate programs. She is also highly active in the office’s outreach efforts on campus and off. Ernberger works with credit-bearing internships and research opportunities across all majors. She also provides general advice on major-based abroad programs for students from the UI Tippie College of Business. Ernberger has a background in education abroad, crisis response, and risk management. Her graduate work was in marketing, communications, and higher education. Ernberger loves working with students, faculty, and staff, and has been active in the field of higher education since 1998. Higher education and education abroad are currently faced with significant challenges. Her goal is to come up with creative ways to continue to meet the needs of students, faculty, and universities as funding continues to decline. Promoting, advising for, and reading for the Gilman Program is a big part of that effort. Ernberger is currently wrapping up a two-year term as part of the inaugural cohort of the Advisor Ambassador Program for the Gilman Scholarship and the U.S. Department of State, advising colleges and universities around the U.S. regarding the power of combining credit-bearing internships and impactful scholarships.

Flamur Gosalci is a seasoned ICT industry expert with 18 years of experience in service provider and enterprise networks. Having engaged with major telecom operators including AT&T, Vodafone, and Orange as an advanced services consultant, Gosalci specializes in network architecture, integration, and support. Currently, he leads business development and strategy at 3CIS JSC, driving initiatives in business processes, workforce development, and aligning growth strategies with industry needs. Since 2013, Gosalci has been a member of the industrial board of the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Prishtina, representing the industry sector and contributing with his expertise in aligning academic objectives with industry standards.

Kimm Harris is an associate professor at the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center in the Tippie College of Business at the University of Iowa. She teaches courses in business consulting, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. With over 25 years of experience as a business owner and entrepreneur, Harris brings a practical, real-world perspective to her work in higher education. Harris has contributed to programs such as the University of Iowa’s Mandela Washington Fellows initiative, where she works with international entrepreneurs to refine their business models and enhance their ventures' social and economic impact. She has also participated in Train the Trainer programs in Kenya and Saudi Arabia, utilizing the JPEC Venture School model to help entrepreneurs evaluate and grow their businesses. In addition to her academic roles, Harris has worked extensively at the intersection of education and industry, designing applied learning experiences that equip students with the skills and competencies needed for the global workplace. Her career reflects a deep commitment to bridging theory and practice, fostering collaboration, and preparing students to navigate complex, dynamic environments confidently and creatively.

Dr. Helena Jerregård is a distinguished neurobiologist and senior lecturer in medical technology, holding a PhD in neurobiology with a focus on neural plasticity and regeneration from Linköping University. Transitioning from her research career, Dr. Jerregård joined Mälardalen University, where she was instrumental in developing the university's research education. Her dedication to bridging the gap between academia and industry/public sector led her to manage the automation region, an extensive network of over 100 companies. During her management, Dr. Jerregård assembled a team dedicated to develop platforms for mututal communication, business development, human resources, and innovation, culminating in the establishment of a research institute called SICS Västerås AB, the Swedish Institute of Computer Science in Västerås. Under her leadership as CEO, the institute rapidly expanded, emphasizing applied science in digitalization and innovation. As the deputy vice-chancellor for collaboration, Dr. Jerregård continues to spearhead strategic partnerships that enhance academic quality and drive mutual interests between the university and the broader community. She is renowned for her efforts in connecting academia with industry, the public sector, and civil society. In addition, Dr. Jerregård is a fervent supporter of diversity in STEM fields. She actively mentors and supports initiatives that encourage women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her efforts are not only aimed at achieving gender equality but also at fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce that can drive innovation and sustainability in all its forms.

Erika Johnson has over 25 years of experience working in marketing, sales, supply chain and technology. She’s held various consulting, brand marketing, field sales, channel development and demand planning, and technology roles at Bobcat Company, Land O’Lakes, Microsoft, and Cargill. In her most recent roles Johnson has helped to enabled supply chain functions to deliver value and reduce costs with technology ranging from planning systems to transportation platforms to control towers to Industry 4.0 tools and visibility solutions. Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and her MBA from the University of St Thomas. She has earned various certificates in statistics, project management, agile, and different software packages. Outside of work Johnson enjoys traveling to national parks, spending time with her extended family, taking walks with her dog, and playing bunco with friends.

Sydney Johnson is the assistant director of global programs in the Undergraduate Program Office in the Tippie College of Business. Johnson graduated from the University of Iowa in 2014 with a BA in international studies and earned an MA in international higher education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2019. She has experience teaching in South Korea and has worked in study abroad at the University of Iowa, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. After completing her graduate studies, she returned to Iowa and spent three years with the Office of Student Financial Aid. In her current role, Sydney oversees Tippie’s short-term study abroad programming in the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and Chile. She also supports semester study abroad programming and international internships through recruitment, course evaluations, scholarship awarding, and workshops for both prospective and returned students. In addition to her work with study abroad, she oversees undergraduate international student support, including managing the Tippie Buddies program and Tippie’s Global Engagement Student Advisory Board.

Dr. Marki Jones serves as the director of the Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) and clinical assistant professor of international business at the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. She is responsible for strategic administration and management for SC CIBER, and directs research, training and outreach initiatives, while also serving as a liaison for partnerships with organizations and universities around the world. Jones is a certified intercultural communications instructor and holds certifications for international research administration. Jones earned an EdD in higher education leadership with an emphasis in international education from California Lutheran University, an MA in educational counseling, and a BA in psychology from Loyola Marymount University.

Tony Joseph has over 30 years of experience working in logistics and sales in the Global marketplace and has developed relationships and partners in Asia, Europe, North America, the Middle East, Australia, and South America. He serves as the president of Joseph Int’l Freight Service, an international logistics provider licensed under the Federal Maritime Commission, with agent offices globally. Joseph is also director/owner of Sunrise Investing LLC, a real estate investment holding company. Joseph currently serves on the board of directors on the Iowa District Export Council, and as vice president and treasurer of Sarah D. Lande US-China Friendship Education Co. He was honored with the highest recognition in Muscatine, with “Volunteer of the Year Award” as the most outstanding person in helping the community with his time and financial support. He is particularly very active in Iowa, serving in the Leadership Muscatine, that connects professionals to business opportunities. He served as president of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, president of Muscatine Center for Social Action, president of Flickinger Learning Center, and president of Rotary Club of Muscatine. He also served on the boards of: Muscatine Community Y, Diversity Service Center of Iowa, Pearl City Outreach, United Way, and Muscatine-China Initiatives Committee.

Geotar Krasniqi is the ICT private sector engagement specialist for the USAID-funded Private Sector Partnerships to Strengthen Higher Education Activity, where he bridges the gap between academia, students, and the tech industry in Kosovo. He develops and implements strategic partnerships between universities and ICT companies, supports the integration of industry-relevant guidance in academic programs, works with student clubs, and fosters innovative collaborations. With a focus on enhancing higher education through private sector engagement, he provides technical leadership and ensures impactful, sustainable interventions.

Professor Lon Moeller earned undergraduate and graduate business degrees, and a law degree from the University of Iowa. For 12 years, Moeller worked as an attorney for two law firms and then later at the University of Iowa and the University of Wisconsin System. Moeller has been a professor in the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business, in the Department of Management and Entrepreneurship, for over 25 years. During that time, he has taught thousands of students (in-person and online) in business law, business ethics, negotiation, and leadership classes. He has taught classes in Hong Kong, London, and Italy. Moeller co-wrote five books on business law, conflict management, leadership/management, and negotiations. Moeller has also worked as a mediator and arbitrator, serving on several state and national arbitration panels in the United States. He is a frequent speaker to industry groups on business ethics, conflict management, and negotiations. In addition to being a university professor, Moeller has held several academic leadership positions, including associate dean, associate provost, and dean at the University of Iowa, and senior vice president for academic affairs and provost at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Paul Pettersson is vice president and professor at Mälardalen University, Sweden. He has a PhD in computer systems and has been appointed docent in computer science at Uppsala University, Sweden. Prof. Pettersson has co-authored over 100 scientific papers, articles, and book chapters in computer science. During his career, he has held various leadership positions in academia, including six years as president (vice-chancellor) of Mälardalen University. He has also served on a number of boards of deeptech startup companies, science parks, and governmental authorities. He is currently president of MainlyAI AB and UP4ALL International AB, member of the board of MDU Holding AB, and the board of directors of the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce USA. Prof. Pettersson received the Computer Aided Verification Award in 2013.

Carol Reynolds, raised in Central Iowa, earned an undergraduate degree in animal science from Iowa State University and holds a Master of Business degree from St. Ambrose University. Ms. Reynolds currently serves as vice president of human resources and is a member of the Executive Team for KENT® Corporation. She is recognized by her peers as a tremendous thought-leadership partner. Since 1927, KENT® has leveraged its core strengths of animal care and human nutrition resulting in the diversified company it is today. KENT® is a worldwide leader in manufacturing and marketing ag-based specialty ingredients and consumer products. KENT® is led by third generation family member, Gage A. Kent and is headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa. The company is a five-time consecutive US Best Managed Company, a program sponsored by Deloitte Private and the Wall Street Journal, which recognizes privately-held companies for excellence in strategy, execution, culture and financials. Ms. Reynolds joined KENT® in 2006 in the Feed Division where she held a variety of sales and marketing roles. Prior, Ms. Reynolds held diverse roles in the agriculture sector including National Pork Producers Council and Garst Seed Corn. Outside of work, Ms. Reynolds is active in the community through work in a variety of organizations and charities. She is currently serving as vice chair for the Mississippi Valley Workforce Development Board, a member of the St. Ambrose University College of Business Advisory Board, member of the ISU Executive MBA Advisory Council, member of the Iowa Business Council Human Resources roundtable, graduate of Leadership Iowa Class 40, contributor on Gov. Reynolds post COVID-19 recovery task force along with many other state and local initiatives.

Jane E. Schukoske is the academic liaison at Sehgal Foundation in the U.S. for students interested in internships and for U.S. universities interested in study abroad and research collaboration. She is an advisory board member of S M Sehgal Foundation in India and lives in Virginia. As a lawyer, Schukoske provided civil legal services to poor clients in Virginia, and later led the Virginia Poverty Law Center. At the University of Baltimore (Maryland) School of Law, 1988-2000, she taught Contracts, Ethics, Law and Social Reform, and community-focused clinical courses. She conducted research as a senior Fulbright scholar at University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1995-96. Schukoske promoted international education as executive director of the U.S.-India Educational Foundation in Delhi, the Fulbright Commission, from 2000-08. There she learned about the work of S M Sehgal Foundation from a Fulbright scholar. She consulted on the establishment of O P Jindal Global University in Sonipat, Haryana, India, and returned to University of Baltimore School of Law to direct the Masters of Law Program in the Law of the U.S., a program for international lawyers. As CEO of the public charitable trust, S M Sehgal Foundation, in Gurugram, Haryana, India from 2011-2016, Schukoske led the Foundation’s collaboration with universities in India and abroad. The Foundation hosts interns and study abroad visitors. She facilitated the invitation from York University to the foundation to conduct research on “Living with Climate Change” under a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Schukoske's publications appear on the Social Science Research Network, SSRN.org. She earned a BA (French), Boston University; JD, Vanderbilt University Law School; and LLM, Georgetown University School of Law. She is a member of the American Bar Association International Section, the Fulbright Alumni Association, and the Global Alliance for Justice Education.

Rajat Jay Sehgal (Jay) serves as executive vice president of Sehgal Foundation in the U.S. and as trustee of S M Sehgal Foundation in India. He represents Sehgal Foundation on the board of Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and Environment and serves on the board of Hytech Seed India Pvt. Ltd. After earning degrees in business administration/management information systems with emphasis on computer science from the University of Iowa, he was working in IT in the private sector when recruited by Proagro Seed Co. Ltd. in India. He led a team to automate all functions of the seed company and create a state-of-the art IT network connecting its locations throughout India. In 2001, Sehgal joined Dr. Suri Sehgal and Mrs. Edda Sehgal, who had established S M Sehgal Foundation in India. Sehgal served for several years as executive director during the seminal shaping and development of the organization. In 2008, Sehgal returned to Des Moines to represent Sehgal Foundation to American donor organizations and development institutions, create linkages with research organizations and foundations; attract volunteers and students from the U.S. to work at the foundation to gain exposure to rural India, and more recently to focus on Transform Lives one school at a time, an initiative that combines the foundation’s key programs in water management, agriculture development, and citizen participation to ensure that every school child—especially girls, who have long been disadvantaged—has a more promising future. On behalf of Sehgal Foundation, Sehgal was recognized with the 2017 Iowa Ag Leadership Award for outstanding service in agriculture by then Secretary of Agriculture Mr. Bill Northey. Sehgal is the recipient of the 2018 International Impact Award from the University of Iowa.

Isak Shabani is a full professor and dean at the Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Pristina (UP). He has 21 years of experience in university teaching and research. He has a PhD in computer science and engineering and is author of several publications in international journals and conferences. He served for 12 years as director of information technology at UP.  His research interests include distributed systems, service oriented architecture, service oriented computing, systems design and ICT in education. He was the author and leader of the most important project at the UP “Digitalization of academic and administrative services”. For four years (2008-2012), he was the representative of the UP in the European Distance and e-Learning Network. Coordinator and member of several science and education capacity-building projects under Tempus, Projects financed for the University of Prishtina by USAID and the American Embassy in Kosovo, Erasmus+ framework and Horizon 2020. He serves as a reviewer for international scientific journals.

Day 1 & 3

University Capitol Centre location – The University Capitol Centre (UCC) sits on the corner of Burlington and Clinton Streets and is connected to the Capitol Street parking ramp. Linked is a map of campus.

Parking – The Capitol Street parking ramp is located at 220 S. Capitol Street, with entrances on both Capitol Street and Clinton Street. Parking is $2/hour and the first hour is free. The parking ramp is within walking distance of the International Commons.

International Commons - room 1117 – The International Commons is located in the northwest corner of the UCC. The address is:

201 S. Clinton Street
1111 University Capitol Centre (UCC)
Iowa City, Iowa 52240

If parking in the Capitol Street parking ramp, you will walk to the far end (the north end) of the building. A convenient ‘marker’ on your way to the IP Office is the coffee shop called T Spoons near the escalator. Once you pass T Spoons, look to your left to see the glass doors labeled INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS. Go through the two sets of doors and the International Commons, room 1117 is on your left. Linked is a map of the UCC building.
 

Day 2

Pappajohn Business Building location – The Pappajohn Business Building (PBB) is located at 21 East Market Street. Linked is a map of campus.

Parking – The North Campus parking ramp is located at 340 N. Madison Street. UI parking rates will apply. Parking below the PBB is not open to outside visitors.

PBB - room S401 - The Pappajohn Business Building room S401 is located within the UI Tippie College of Business.

The best entrances to get into PBB:

• Jefferson Street (south entrance) through the courtyard or up the stairs
• Anne Cleary Walkway is the west entrance
• Market Street at the corner of Market & Clinton Street (across from Old Brick) – easiest and most convenient as you enter and walk straight ahead and go just past the UPO office and turn left to access the elevator.

All Days

Bus Service – The University Capitol Centre is located adjacent to the Downtown Interchange bus stop. A number of University of Iowa (CAMBUS) and city buses frequent this location.

Visiting from out of town? Below are some highlights for places to eat, things to do, and hotel options close by. If you are a presenter, refer to your event contact for details on what meals are provided and what hotel you are staying in.
 

Places to Eat
For places to eat located inside the University Capitol Centre, visit the Old Capitol Town Center's directory.

For places to eat in downtown Iowa City, visit the Iowa City Downtown District food and drink guide.

For more options, visit Think Iowa City's restaurant guide.
 

Hotels

For hotels within walking distance of the University of Iowa campus, visit the Iowa City Downtown District hotel guide.

For more options outside of downtown Iowa City, visit Think Iowa City's hotel guide.

Shopping
Shops located within walking distance of campus can be found on the Iowa City Downtown District shopping guide.

Located 5 miles from campus is the Coral Ridge Mall.
 

Things to Do
Looking for events and activities happening in the area? Visit the Think Iowa City visitor guide.